The regular season just wrapped up, and if you’re looking for a Sunday kickoff time for the Atlanta Falcons, you’re going to be waiting a while. Honestly, the answer to is Drake London playing is pretty simple: No, but not because of a new injury.
The Atlanta Falcons officially ended their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4, 2026, with a gritty 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints. Since the Falcons finished 8-9 and missed the postseason, the team has moved into "black Monday" territory and offseason evaluations. London isn't on the field because there are no more games to play.
The Knee Injury That Hampered London’s 2025 Season
If you feel like London has been "out" more than usual lately, your gut is right. It was a weird, frustrating year for the USC product.
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Earlier in the winter, London dealt with a nagging PCL sprain in his left knee that forced him to miss four straight games from Week 12 through Week 15. It was a massive blow for fantasy managers and Falcons fans alike, especially since he was on an absolute tear before the injury. For a guy who had been remarkably durable in his first few seasons, sitting out against the Jets and Seahawks felt like a major shift in the offense's gravity.
He did eventually make it back for the final three games, but he wasn't exactly 100% explosive. He looked a bit tentative in the Arizona game (Week 16) and was basically a decoy against the Rams in Week 17, catching just one ball for four yards.
Breaking Down the 2025 Stat Sheet
Even with the missed time, London’s "down" year would be a career year for most receivers. He finished the season with 68 receptions for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Think about that. He missed five games total—he sat out a chunk of the Saints game in November too—and still nearly cracked 1,000 yards. When he was healthy and catching passes from Kirk Cousins in the middle of the season, he was virtually unguardable.
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Take the Week 9 game against the Patriots, for example. He caught nine passes for 118 yards and three scores. That's elite tier. He was pacing for well over 1,300 yards before the knee flared up.
Is Drake London Playing in 2026?
Looking ahead, London is under contract and remains the undisputed WR1 in Atlanta. The Falcons’ front office, now led by Matt Ryan as President of Football Operations, has some massive decisions to make regarding the coaching staff, but London is the foundational piece.
There's no surgery currently scheduled for that knee, according to the latest team reports. The plan is simple: rest and recovery. The PCL is a tricky ligament because it doesn't always require the "knife," but it needs time to regain that lateral stability.
You’ll see him back on the field for OTAs (Organized Team Activities) in the spring. By the time training camp rolls around in July 2026, the knee should be a non-issue.
Why the "Questionable" Tag Stuck Around
During the final week of the season leading up to the Saints game, London was listed as "Questionable" every single day. Head coach Raheem Morris kept saying he was "optimistic," but it was clear they were managing his reps.
In that season finale, London actually looked much better than he did against the Rams. He hauled in 4 catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, proving that even at 85% health, he’s still the best playmaker on that roster. It was a good "sign-off" for the year, giving fans some peace of mind that his knee isn't a long-term degenerative concern.
Fantasy Outlook and 2026 Value
If you're in a dynasty league or already thinking about next year's redraft, London is going to be a polarizing name. Some people will see the 919 yards and think he took a step back from his 1,200-yard sophomore surge.
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Don't fall for it.
The volume is still there. He was targeted 104 times in just 12 games. That is a massive target share. If the Falcons find some stability at the quarterback position—whether they stick with Cousins or look toward a younger option—London is a lock for 100+ catches if he plays a full 17-game slate.
Offseason Priorities for London
- Ligament Strength: Focus on the posterior chain to protect that left knee.
- Coaching Stability: Adapting to whoever the new offensive coordinator might be.
- Chemistry: Getting a full, healthy training camp with the QB room.
The Falcons' wide receiver room is actually pretty thin behind him and Darnell Mooney. Expect Atlanta to add some depth in the draft, which might actually help London by taking some of the double-coverage pressure off his shoulders.
So, while the answer to is Drake London playing today is a definitive no, he’s not "injured" in the sense that his career is in jeopardy. He’s just a star athlete at the start of a very necessary vacation.
If you're tracking his status for any specific 2026 events, keep an eye on the Falcons' official injury designations starting in late August. For now, the star receiver is focused on getting that knee back to 100% for what many expect to be a massive fifth year in the league.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you are a fantasy owner or a bettor, you should bookmark the NFL's official transaction wire for March. This is when we will see if the Falcons bring in a true WR2 to complement London. If they don't, expect London's target share to remain in the top 10% of the league for 2026. Also, check for any "clean-up" procedure announcements in late January; if he hasn't had surgery by February 1st, he is likely on a standard rest-and-rehab schedule.